After transforming intra-city commuting, Uber is now looking to add transportation of goods and services across the country on its resume.
The company is also launching an hourly ride service that allows users to pay within a range of an hour rather than the whole trip as is the case. They also have the opportunity to increase the hours if he or she pleases.
UberX Hourly which is already available in many markets outside Nigeria is an alternative to on-demand, point-to-point trips that will provide the rider with added convenience with no need to re-book their ride. Riders pay an hourly rate.
First launched in May 2020, UberX Hourly was a product of feedback from users on ways Uber can facilitate opportunities riders are looking for.
“Hourly already launched in several cities around the world including Dar es Salaam and based on those insights and the warm reception from both riders and drivers, we’re excited to bring this to Nigeria,” Tope Akinwunmi, Country Manager for Uber Nigeria said. “We built this feature for those moments when you anticipate you’ll need extra time getting things done, and so drivers can access a meaningful earni
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When it is finally available for Nigerians in the coming months, Uber says it will reside within the app next to existing options like UberX, Comfort, and Black. Also, a new in-app screen will appear with helpful information about the Hourly ride option, and a rider will be prompted to press ‘Confirm’ to advance to the next request stage.
Uber Connect is the delivery business of the San Francisco-based that has already gained traction in many markets around the world.
Uber said its delivery bookings rose 166 percent between January and March 2021 compared to the same period last year. Mobility —— or ride-hailing —— bookings were down 38 percent, and flat compared to the fourth quarter. But ride-hailing demand improved throughout the quarter, and by March ride-hailing demand had reached its highest level in a year, the company said
Uber said its bookings jumped 24 percent to $19.5 billion – an all-time high – in the January-March period. This is far ahead of the $18 billion Wall Street was anticipating, according to analysts polled by FactSet.
Uber Connect provides people with a quick and affordable way to send packages to friends and family using the Uber app. The company says it addresses the needs of communities impacted by the health crisis while experimenting with new revenue streams and earning opportunities for drivers.
“The agility of our platform allows us to quickly adapt our products to meet the evolving needs of communities impacted by the health crisis while experimenting with new revenue streams and earning opportunities for drivers,” Akinwunmi said.
Uber Connect is already in Ghana, South Africa, and Kenya, including other countries across the globe.
